7 Things That Are Stealing Your Time and What to Do About It!

Ever look up from your phone, see it's already noon, and wonder, "Where did the time go?" If you’ve got that constant feeling like you're racing against the clock, chances are these sneaky time thieves are to blame.

There are common things that we’ve all heard about that waste our time; social media, watching TV, distractions and perfectionism.

Let’s uncover 7 time thieves that you’re probably not aware of and discover how to get those precious minutes back.

1. Tasks Other People Could Be Doing

You’re not a one-person show, and yet, here you are, juggling tasks like a circus performer with zero breaks. Stop! If you’re cleaning up after everyone’s messes, you’re basically the office (or home) superhero—but without the cool cape.

Solution: Start delegating like a boss. Give others a chance to shine (or at least try). That spreadsheet you hate? Someone else might love it. The laundry pile? It’s not a one-person chore.

Delegation isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of brilliance. Plus, you can always check back in to make sure the world hasn’t imploded.

Bonus tip: Think of delegating as giving yourself a gift… wrapped in free time!

2. Other People’s Priorities

Ever notice how some people’s emergencies suddenly become your problem? It’s like walking down the street and someone throws you their backpack mid-stride. Guess what? That backpack is full of their to-do list. Not cool.

Solution: Learn the art of "no." Or if "no" feels too scary, try “Not right now.” Politely reclaim your time by setting clear boundaries. If you're feeling generous, you can help others—after you've handled your own to-do list. After all, your plate is full too, and it’s not just appetizers.

Bonus tip: Master the “fake calendar check.” It’s a universal signal for “I’m super busy,” and the best part? Your calendar doesn’t even have to be real.

3. Making Decisions

Ah, the sweet paralysis of decision-making. Should I do this? Or that? Or maybe a third option? Or maybe—wait, I need more coffee first. Suddenly, you’ve spent 45 minutes deciding which email template to use. Oops.

Solution: Set a time limit for decisions. Give yourself, say, five minutes to decide what to order for lunch (no, you don’t need to read 10 Yelp reviews). If it's a bigger decision, break it down into bite-sized chunks. Remember, most decisions aren’t life or death. Unless you’re a surgeon, in which case…take your time.

Bonus tip: When in doubt, just flip a coin. If nothing else, it’s faster, and you’ll know what you really want when the coin’s in the air.

4. Explaining How to Do Things

If you’ve ever had to explain to your coworker how to attach a document for the thousandth time, this one’s for you. It’s like Groundhog Day, except less fun and with more PowerPoint slides.

Solution: Invest some time upfront to save hours later. Create a guide, record a video, or just write things down. It’s a win-win: they get the instructions, and you get your sanity back. Next time someone asks, just point them to the instructions and smile.

Bonus tip: Make the guides fun! Throw in a meme or two. It’ll make people enjoy following the instructions instead of asking you again (we hope).

5. “Busy” Work

You know what I’m talking about. That work that feels productive but doesn’t actually achieve anything meaningful. Like organizing your email inbox for the fourth time this week. Or color-coding your calendar. Fancy? Sure. Necessary? Meh.

Solution: Prioritize like a pro. Ask yourself: “Does this task move me closer to my goals, or is it just keeping me busy?” If it’s the latter, scrap it or save it for downtime. Focus on what truly matters. No one’s going to give you a medal for having the world’s most organized desk. (If they do, let me know. I’ll sign up.)

Bonus tip: Use the two-minute rule: If a task can be done in two minutes or less, do it right away. For everything else, schedule it or decide if it’s worth doing at all. Spoiler: It probably isn’t.

6. An Unplanned Day

Waking up without a plan is like walking into a buffet with no strategy. Sure, it’s fun for a while, but soon enough, you’re overwhelmed, confused, and possibly holding a plate of things you don’t even like.

Solution: Make a to-do list or a rough schedule for your day. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t need to plan every minute, but give yourself a roadmap. Otherwise, you’ll end up driving in circles, metaphorically speaking. And then it’s 5 PM, and you’ve achieved…what, exactly? Oh right, you scrolled Instagram for an hour.

Bonus tip: Don’t overplan either. Give yourself wiggle room for the unexpected—like spontaneous coffee breaks or impromptu brainstorming sessions that turn into TikTok breaks.

7. Trying to Do Too Much

You’re ambitious. I get it. But trying to do everything is like juggling flaming swords—cool in theory, but dangerous in practice. Spoiler: It’s not going to end well. You’ll either burn out or drop the ball (or the sword).

Solution: Focus on the things that really matter. You don’t need to be involved in every meeting, project, or side hustle. Prioritize, and learn the art of saying no—or at least “Not right now.” Balance is key, and trying to do everything is the fastest way to do nothing well.

Bonus tip: Let go of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). You’re not missing anything by saying no. In fact, you’re gaining the luxury of time and a slightly less chaotic brain.

Conclusion

Time is your most precious resource, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. But the good news is, you can always be smarter about how you spend it. Delegate, set boundaries, streamline your decisions, stop explaining the same things repeatedly, dodge busy work, plan your day, and above all, stop trying to do it all.

Because at the end of the day, your time is yours. So guard it like the treasure it is—and maybe buy yourself a cool cape while you're at it!

Fred Moore is a Keynote Speaker and Magician who's done over 6,000 presentations and shows in 30 countries. Fred creates one-of-a-kind experiences by customizing, using improvisational skills and going the extra mile to make YOU look good.

Think David Copperfield meets Jimmy Fallon with a splash of Tony Robbins! www.DoSoMuchMore.com